STATEHOUSE (June 3, 2020) – State Reps. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) and Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) encourage Hoosiers whose jobs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of tuition-free training grants offered through Indiana's Next Level Jobs program.
Established in 2017 by a law Heaton supported, the program provides Workforce Ready Grants to help Indiana residents who have a high school diploma or equivalent but less than a college degree receive training in high-demand job fields. With more than 500,000 Hoosiers filing for unemployment since March, Heaton said these grants could help those who are laid off or furloughed to build on their skills and get a better paying job.
"As our economy rebounds from this crisis, we'll need workers who are prepared to fill jobs in some of our most essential industries," Heaton said. "Through Next Level Jobs, our state can better meet local workforce needs by training Hoosiers for the most in-demand careers."
Hoosiers can visit NextLevelJobs.org to apply for training grants, which cover the cost of tuition and fees for working adults to earn a high-value certificate at Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University. Baird said jobseekers can connect to local training and resources to find jobs in high-demand industries, including advanced manufacturing, building and construction, health and life sciences, IT and business services, and transportation and logistics.
"This pandemic has caused so many disruptions in Hoosiers' employment and livelihoods," Baird said. "If there's a silver lining, this crisis presents an opportunity for many to take advantage of free training to add to their skill sets and find a better-paying job as the economy bounces back."
The Ivy Tech campus in Bloomington offer students the opportunity to earn certificates in numerous careers. For information, visit IvyTech.edu/Bloomington.
Businesses in high-demand industries can apply for Employer Training Grants, which provide $5,000 for each employee who is trained, hired and retained for six months.
Students interested in attending Ivy Tech have until June 8 to enroll in summer courses. The summer session will run through Aug. 1. Anyone interested in opportunities through Vincennes University have until May 26 to register for the first round of summer courses and the second round of enrollment is open until July 2. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all courses will be offered online.
Hoosiers can learn more about eligibility requirements and apply for a Workforce Ready Grant or Employer Training Grant at NextLevelJobs.org. Anyone who needs help with the application process can call 317-715-9007 to speak one-on-one with a financial aid expert for free through INvestEd.
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State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44, which includes
all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
